Thursday, July 23, 2009

…gift shop and gallery in Toluca Lake. Thru August 30th you can see the amazing masks and paintings of Sergio Boldrin, an artist from Venice Italy.

The opening reception was crammed with collectors buying the masks faster than the sales staff could wrap them up. Refreshments were marvelous and there was even a bar serving up sangria and wine as we were serenaded by the sounds of classical guitar drifting thru the gallery.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

…and has the most amazing, talented friends. One in particular, Judith Keller is the Curator of Photography at the Getty. Carol sent forth the word that Judith would be giving a special tour and talk for Carol and whomever she would choose. It was wonderful, starting with the ‘IN FOCUS: MAKING A SCENE’ which was over 30 tableaux’s (staged photographs) from early daguerreotypes to Lewis Carroll and Man Ray (mine’s legit!).

Next we saw the work of ‘PAUL OUTERBRIDGE’ an early American modern master and pioneer in the art of color photography. And finally, the work of JO ANN CALLIS who is an important practitioner of the ‘fabricated photographs’ movement.

"Art is life as seen through man's inner craving for perfection & beauty - his escape from the sorded realities of life into a world of his imagining."

Paul Outerbridge

The show continues through October 18th and you’ll be treated to photography as fine art…don’t miss it!

All that ‘looking’ makes one ravenous so it was off to the main dining room of the Getty where all 16 of us dined in that elegant setting only to be told at the end that dear Valerie Foster Hoffman was our hostess. Remember my birthday party? Well, Valerie would do works of kind and open generosity like that for the whole wide world. She is truly an inspiration!!!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

…were sitting four rows in front of us Monday evening at the Ahmanson Theatre. So why do I mention this to you?

It was the funniest scene ever…like being in a football stadium when everyone does ‘The Wave’. Everyone in front of us turned to get a peek and then pointed to their companions while all in front of J.F. & R. turned back to look and proclaim.

We walked past when leaving and the only news I have of that is Jane inquired of someone saying “Well, did you eat all the chocolate?”

What surprised me the most was that mom didn’t stop to say how much she admires J….I think it was the propriety thing as no one else did.

Almost forgot…we went for ‘An Evening With Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin’. When the music started for ‘Don’t Cry for me Argentina’ and ‘Everything’s Coming up Roses’ I though the crowd would need sedatives as they/we were so excited! (Well, maybe not Charles.)

Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.

Welcome! Here we'll be talking about Brush Painting and living joyfully! My website (nanrae.com) has complete examples of my work. I have been an artist since childhood. I have introduced and taught thousands Chinese Brush Painting in my Studio, the Huntington Library, Otis and other locations. My work is reproduced on Greeting Cards in the USA and all over Europe and Australia by Ling Design in England. It is wonderful being able to do the thing you love and to share it with others.